Published: May 21, 2008 04:23 pm            

Governor reports progress, high morale from Iraq

Gov. Mitch Daniels’ second trip to Iraq wasn’t so much for his benefit as it was an opportunity to let soldiers there know they haven’t been forgotten back home.

The three-day trek took on even more meaning, given the deployment this year of the Indiana National Guard’s 76th Infantry Brigade. Daniels requested his visit before the 76th got the call. He’s the first governor to visit Iraq this year.

“They’re really good at what they’re doing, and proud,” Daniels said of Indiana soldiers during a teleconference from Iraq on Tuesday. “Every Hoosier should be too.”

Daniels arrived in Iraq on Monday. He spent two days traveling around the country meeting with as many soldiers as he could.

“I’m particularly impressed with the character and sheer confidence and professionalism of the entire American military,” Daniels said.

His goal was to meet as many of the 3,400 troops comprising the 76th as he could.

“I’ve seen hundreds of them in various places throughout Iraq,” Daniels said. “I’m just bringing a message of love and support from home — making sure we’re doing all we can for their families while they’re away from home.”

In particular, Daniels met with soldiers at LSA Anaconda, a camp run by the 76th and, with a population of 30,000, a city in itself. Its main job is convoy security patrol, specifically protecting supply runners from insurgents and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Daniels reported that morale is high, while noting the 76th has only been there about two months.

“The impression you get over and over is of people who’ve worked very hard, drilled and trained hard, who’ve developed tremendous ability and skill with complex equipment,” Daniels said. “They’re proud of it, and I think glad they get a chance to show what they can do, to put all that training to work.”

While troops didn’t relay any specific messages for Daniels to bring home, the governor said he’s returning with a bag full of phone numbers for parents, spouses, and other loved ones.

“I’ll be making some surprise phone calls to people,” he said.

Overall, Daniels said much has changed in Iraq since he was last there over Easter in 2006. While still no garden spot, Baghdad is cleaner with improved infrastructure, he said.

The major talk there, though, concerns the decline in violence. Specifically, Daniels said the focus is on how Iraqis moved quickly to force out entrenched militia in the southern city of Bosra. They’re now doing the same thing to the north in Mosul, considered Al-Qaida’s last stronghold in the country. Daniels called it a transformational move.

“There’s a tentative sense of real excitement — not only that they’re getting on top of the security situation but it’s the Iraqis doing it, which is a source of pride to their people and an encouragement to the American military,” he said.

That said, there are still risks. Scattered terrorists are still planting bombs. Someone fired a mortar round into Anaconda in the middle of the night while Daniels was sleeping. It wasn’t enough to wake him.

“It’s a more orderly place,” Daniels said of Iraq. “That’s the first step to a civilized society.”



wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com

        

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